ve,
For time doth swiftly waft us to our port.
Where I must Caesar's message loud proclaim
And my strong obligation to you voice.
Our noble functions must be so performed,
That happy impress graves the rabble mind
But thus to meet these vultures with a smile
Doth like a colic make mine honor gripe,
Machiavelian methods were in sooth
The better physic for the patients' needs
And I like good physician must the probe
Thrust in and sound the ugly, gaping wound.
_Quezox:_ Most noble sire, if I may caution speak
It were to all this filthy, croaking brood
Ne'er lend an open ear, for in it they
Will honey-coated poison quick distil.
_Francos:_ Trust me, good Quezox, I to every thrust,
Of treach'rous blade, will offer ample shield.
Methinks I'll place them on the waiting rack
And while I promises sweet-coated make,
Will gently turn the screw until their bones
Do crack. And then to happy period make,
The ax shall deftly lop some waiting head,
With touch most skilful, mellowed by a smile.
_Quezox:_ And, noble sire, I pray thee hasten not
But let it pleasure thee to so proceed
That dire suspense may make the waiting wretch
More keenly feel the act of justice stern.
Sweet to my soul 'twill be to walk the street
And meet prospective victims ere they fall.
The secret, while a tonic to my soul,
Prepays me mightily for past neglect.
_Francos:_ But Ha! The port is nigh and we must hie
_(The City in the distance)_
Us to our cabins to enrobe with coats
Of Tam'ny cut, and silken stovepipe hats--
_(Anxiously)_
But, Quezox, tell me, shall we be beset
By bugs and fleas and snakes and creeping things?
And microbes? Are they floating in the air
So that in speech I'll dare not ope my mouth?
_Seldonskip (aside) O, shucks! I should worry!_
_Quezox:_ Most puissant Sir, dread not the microbes!
A charm, ecclesiastical, well blessed,
Will ward them off; but what befears me most
Is vermin which infest the offices.
_(Seldonskip wearing a plug hat, walks slowly along leering
at Quezox)._
_(Speaks)_